Heather's Posts - Mom Bloggers Club2016-12-09T15:16:25ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28http://api.ning.com/files/RgFZ4nulYdc97jrXpdNV20ck5UIhg8rKCm*Cv8KWkXPWbkXmztaZTDKOjpBkC6K-sloxqPhxFci4OGtguWdtrX5iS65SmN7y/mbcicon.png?width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://www.mombloggersclub.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=3ec6axk91kwgk&xn_auth=noEarth Promise: A No-Brainer for the Summer Travellertag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2010-06-02:988554:BlogPost:4691202010-06-02T12:15:44.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
<font size="2"><font color="#77A9CE">June 1st, 2010</font></font><br />
<div class="entry"><p><font color="#77A9CE" size="2"><img alt="airport-water" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1860" height="181" src="http://www.earthpromise.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/airport-water-300x181.jpg" title="airport-water" width="300"></img></font> It’s hot and we need to stay hydrated. But to what expense? If you are an avid <strong>airline traveler</strong>, then you know the drill: guzzle down that $3 (and at some airports $5!!) bottled water before walking through the security check point. How many of you have actually tossed that half full (or half empty) bottle into the trash (or hopefully…</p>
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<font size="2"><font color="#77A9CE">June 1st, 2010 </font></font><br />
<div class="entry"><p><font color="#77A9CE" size="2"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1860" title="airport-water" alt="airport-water" src="http://www.earthpromise.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/airport-water-300x181.jpg" width="300" height="181"/></font>It’s hot and we need to stay hydrated. But to what expense? If you are an avid <strong>airline traveler</strong>, then you know the drill: guzzle down that $3 (and at some airports $5!!) bottled water before walking through the security check point. How many of you have actually tossed that half full (or half empty) bottle into the trash (or hopefully recycling bin), just so you can get to your gate on time? And since you want to have water while on the plane, once again, you shell out another $3–$5 (to those price gougers) for yet an additional disposable water bottle. Did you ever think of bringing your own <strong>reusable bottle</strong> with you? Just show the security officers that it is empty. This way, once you walk on the other side of security, all you need to do is find a water fountain or ask one of the myriad of vendors in the terminal to fill with ice and water. Voila!</p>
<p><br/>Not only have you kept the landfill free of bottles (if there’s no recycling available), but now you have your reusable vessel for your travels.</p>
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<p>Happy travelling!!!</p>
<p>Do you have any green travelling tips you’d like to share? Here at <strong>Earth Promise</strong>, we’d love to hear from you.</p>
</div>Earth Promise: New Green Mileage Standardstag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-05-19:988554:BlogPost:2420432009-05-19T12:44:15.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
<b>New automobile emissions standards</b> are on the right track. President <b>Obama</b> is serious when it comes to fighting our global warming dilemma, creating new eco-related jobs and reducing our ongoing dependence on foreign oil. By 2016, all auto makers are required to make new cars and trucks get <b>30 percent better mileage</b>. It will be a gradual phasing in process with the 2011 new automobile models. Initially, it will cost the consumers a bit more per vehicle, but these <i>“new…</i>
<b>New automobile emissions standards</b> are on the right track. President <b>Obama</b> is serious when it comes to fighting our global warming dilemma, creating new eco-related jobs and reducing our ongoing dependence on foreign oil. By 2016, all auto makers are required to make new cars and trucks get <b>30 percent better mileage</b>. It will be a gradual phasing in process with the 2011 new automobile models. Initially, it will cost the consumers a bit more per vehicle, but these <i>“new regulations will save a total of nearly 2 billion barrels of oil from 2011 to 2016,”</i> and will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions tremendously.<br />
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For more information, check out these news sites:<br />
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<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30810514/">MSNBC.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-emission-qa19-2009may19,0,1020006.story">LATimes.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/new-mileage-standards-cheer-green-lobby-2009-05-18.html">TheHill.com</a><br />
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With President Obama’s emissions promise, what types of <b><a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/">Earth Promises</a></b> will you make?Earth Promise: Reduce and Reuse: It Helps the Environmenttag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-05-15:988554:BlogPost:2352252009-05-15T00:05:46.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
<b>Stuff. Possessions. Things</b>. We all have way too much of it. Especially if you have children or if you are one to hold onto things for sentimental reasons. (You know who you are!) There may be a psychological underlying reason why you hold onto your stuff, but no matter what the reason is, there are ways to help reduce and reuse it.<br />
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<u>Here are some ideas to reduce and reuse:</u><br />
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<b>Birthday party favors</b>. When my girls come home from birthday parties, the flood of plastic trinkets…
<b>Stuff. Possessions. Things</b>. We all have way too much of it. Especially if you have children or if you are one to hold onto things for sentimental reasons. (You know who you are!) There may be a psychological underlying reason why you hold onto your stuff, but no matter what the reason is, there are ways to help reduce and reuse it.<br />
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<u>Here are some ideas to reduce and reuse:</u><br />
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<b>Birthday party favors</b>. When my girls come home from birthday parties, the flood of plastic trinkets and useless odds and ends end up where? In the trash, then ultimately in the landfill or cluttering up bedroom desks. This year, for my six year-old’s party favor, I let the kids take home their own plant. Not one pined for the predictable bag of candy and trinkets. The joy on their faces (and their parent’s) was priceless!<br />
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<b>Organization books</b>—<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clutter-Control-Organize-Backpack-American/dp/1593693419/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1242303546&amp;sr=1-1">Clutter Control: Tips and Crafts to Organize Your Bedroom, Backpack, Locker, Life</a> by American Girl Editors. My “almost 10 year old” was drawn instantly to this book in the store. She is actually saving the clever ideas to work on de-cluttering her room this summer. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eliminate-Chaos-10-Step-Process-Organize/dp/1570614679/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1242303913&amp;sr=1-2">Eliminate Chaos: The 10-Step Process to Organize Your Home and Life</a> is a well-reviewed organization book which offers advice that includes the <i>“realistic, messy, all-important steps in between.”</i><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.ecosalon.com/how-to-do-a-clothing-swap/">EcoSalon’s blog</a></b>, How to: 10 Tips for a Successful Clothing Swap, reminds me of my college days. This is such a fabulous way to get rid of the things you no longer need or wear and get some new threads.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2253037_reuse-household-items.html">E How</a></b> offers great suggestions on how to reuse everyday items in lieu of continually tossing them into the recycling bin.<br />
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A blogger on <b>Blogher.com</b> that I came across wrote, <a href="http://www.blogher.com/reduce-clutter-going-paper-free">Reduce Clutter by Going Paper Free</a> . Be sure to read her efficient, ecologically-aware ideas.<br />
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If you haven’t watched the video already, this is a big MUST…the <b><a href="http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html">Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard</a></b> . Yes, it’s 20 minutes, but it’s is captivating and worth every minute of your time! Teaching you environmental and social issues without being too preachy, Annie Leonard forces you look and really think about the <b>stuff</b> you have in your life.<br />
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I love <b>George Carlin</b>. This <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac">1986 standup routine</a></b> about “stuff ” should bring a smile to your face. Keep in mind, it is George Carlin, so be wary if your children are around!<br />
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I envy my friends who do not have piles around their homes. I always wonder where their <b>stuff</b> is? Is it because they have more cabinets or drawers? Or have they moved so many times, they have come to realize that <b>less is more manageable</b>? My goal is to <b>master the art of reducing and reusing</b>.<br />
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Do you have any innovative ideas on <b>how to reduce and reuse</b>? We’d love to read about it. Leave a comment so that everyone can take advantage and <b>help our environment</b>.Earth Promise: Our Green Herotag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-05-12:988554:BlogPost:2327392009-05-12T12:46:50.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
<b>President Obama</b> has chosen the ideal person to fight both poverty and pollution at the same time–<b>Van Jones.</b><br />
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<b>Van Jones</b> is presently the special advisor on Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the <b>White House Council on Environmental Quality.</b> Other credentials under his belt are: Time Magazine’s 2008 Environmental Hero; Global Green USA “Community Environmental Leadership Award 2008,” and the New York Times Bestselling author of, The Green Collar Economy: How One…
<b>President Obama</b> has chosen the ideal person to fight both poverty and pollution at the same time–<b>Van Jones.</b><br />
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<b>Van Jones</b> is presently the special advisor on Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the <b>White House Council on Environmental Quality.</b> Other credentials under his belt are: Time Magazine’s 2008 Environmental Hero; Global Green USA “Community Environmental Leadership Award 2008,” and the New York Times Bestselling author of, The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Solve Our Two Biggest Problems (Harper One 2008), which is endorsed by Nancy Pelosi, Tom Daschle and Al Gore. Not bad.<br />
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Jones is helping to shift our country towards a greener economy by making blue-collar green jobs more readily available. Actor and environmentalist, Leonardo DiCaprio, interviewed Van Jones for the 2009 Time Magazine’s Heros &amp; Icons. Jones says,<br />
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<i>“You can think about a green-collar job as a blue-collar job that’s been upgraded, or up-skilled, to better respect the environment. (Also) these jobs not only contribute directly to preserving and enhancing environmental quality but also provide either family-supporting wages or a career ladder to move low-income workers into higher-skilled occupations.”</i><br />
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He is well known for his optimistic view of solving both our economic and environmental problems simultaneously. It’s reassuring to have Jones on Obama’s team. He is undeniably committed to making a sustainable economy part of our long term economic growth agenda.<br />
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For recent articles about our tireless, green, social advocate, visit these links below:<br />
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<b>NPR’s</b> website has a few articles about Jones that are worthy of reading:<br />
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103456763<br />
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103358189<br />
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<a href="http://greenforall.org/van-jones"><b>Green For All</b></a> is an organization founded by Van Jones<br />
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Listen to Van Jones’s <a href="http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&amp;q=van+jones&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ei=42MJSu-APNiMtge38bnhCw&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=video_result_group&amp;resnum=4&amp;ct=title#)"><b>opening statement</b></a> at the SC Stimulus Hearing<br />
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Start making your <a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/"><b>Earth Promises</b></a> today!Earth Promise Interview - Ed Begley Jr.tag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-05-06:988554:BlogPost:2285552009-05-06T13:12:55.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Ed Begley Jr. - Actor and Environmental Advocate<br />
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Ed Begley Jr., an actor on the stage, television and on the screen has been nominated for awards numerous times. Begley is perhaps best known for his role as Dr. Mark Craig’s intern, Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the television series St Elsewhere, for which he received six consecutive Emmy Award nominations. He currently has a reality show about green living called Living With Ed on Planet Green with his wife, actress Rachelle Carson.<br />
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In addition to…
Ed Begley Jr. - Actor and Environmental Advocate<br />
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Ed Begley Jr., an actor on the stage, television and on the screen has been nominated for awards numerous times. Begley is perhaps best known for his role as Dr. Mark Craig’s intern, Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the television series St Elsewhere, for which he received six consecutive Emmy Award nominations. He currently has a reality show about green living called Living With Ed on Planet Green with his wife, actress Rachelle Carson.<br />
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In addition to acting, Ed has been considered an environmental leader in the Hollywood community for many years. He has served as chairman of the Environmental Media Association, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He still serves on those boards, as well as the Thoreau Institute, the Earth Communications Office, Tree People and Friends of the Earth, among many others.<br />
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His work in the environmental community has earned him a number of awards from some of the most prestigious environmental groups in the nation, including the California League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, The Coalition for Clean Air, Heal the Bay and the Santa Monica Baykeeper. He currently lives near Los Angeles in a self-sufficient home powered by solar energy.<br />
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Some other key sites Mr. Begley is involved in are Fixing the Planet, and Begley’s Best. For a full list of sites and organizations he is involved in go to his website for more details.<br />
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Earth Promise: Your care for the environment and steps to protect it are well known and you are one of the main faces of the green movement. What was your inspiration for this? Were you “green” as a child? What was your first, ah ha! Green moment?<br />
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Ed Begley Jr.: It was the first Earth Day in 1970. I had lived through 20 years of horrible choking smog in Los Angeles, and I had had enough, and decided to take action.<br />
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EP: Are you seeing an uptick in the number of eco-conscious people and also in the level they are taking their changes to help the environment?<br />
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EB: Yes. I speak all around the country, and I see folks from both sides of the aisle eager to take action to protect our environment.<br />
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EP: How would you classify being green? Is it a lifestyle or philosophy? Or put a different way, is it a way of living as part of your normal everyday routine, or is it a central belief that should guide all decision you make in your everyday world?<br />
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EB: It is both an everyday routine and a central belief that guides that everyday behavior. I try to live simply so that others may simply live.<br />
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EP: You have a lot of shows, sites, and projects that you are involved in with the environment in mind. Can you tell me about some of them?<br />
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EB: I have a show in reruns on Planet Green called “Living With Ed” that shows that has been quite successful since its original airing on HGTV.<br />
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I go around the country and speak regularly, as well as serving on many environmental boards.<br />
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EP: What are your top five recommendations for the people who want to do a self-green audit of their home?<br />
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EB: I would say these are the top five:<br />
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Energy saving light bulbs<br />
Energy Saving Thermostat<br />
Weather Stripping around the doors &amp; windows<br />
Public transportation, if available near you<br />
Bike riding, if weather &amp; fitness permit<br />
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EP: What are some of the things that anger you or drive you crazy that you see people do that hurts the environment? I guess your eco pet peeves.<br />
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EB: Throwing trash in the street. Pouring liquid waste down a storm drain. It’s hard to believe that some folks don’t know that that goes straight out to the ocean.<br />
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EP: One misperception I hear about a lot is that going green is expensive. Can you provide some examples for the average person on how taking steps to help the environment can also help your wallet?<br />
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EB: See the answers I gave a few questions ago. All that stuff is super cheap.<br />
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EP: In what ways will green awareness and green initiatives help us, both as a country as well as individually, during these tough economic times?<br />
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EB: We need to do the cheap and easy stuff right away. It will give us instant relief environmentally and financially.<br />
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EP: How much of an environmental crisis are we really in? What are the consequences of non-action or limited change?<br />
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EB: There are thousands of scientists who feel the situation is dire. Global Climate Change, overfishing, deforestation, water shortages to name but a few.<br />
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The sad thing is that there are economically feasible solutions to ALL of these problems.<br />
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EP: Overall, are we on the right path for “Fixing the Planet”, given the problems of the world economy, world poverty and other global issues such as terrorism?<br />
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EB: We have the right path laid out before is. We all just have to take it and pick up the pace.<br />
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EP: Do you think the lack of green innovation is somewhat to blame for today’s economic crisis? For example, if the major auto makers had been focus on making more environmental friendly cars as opposed to SUVs, they would have been in better shape (and we would too), especially given all the strides made in California to improve air quality via emission control?<br />
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EB: There’s been plenty of green innovation. The auto industry is partly to blame for promoting the SUV over all else, and so are we for responding to that pitch.<br />
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EP: We hear a lot about how to green one’s home whether online or on TV. However, most people spend 40+ hours at work whether an office, home business, office business, outdoor business (construction, landscaping, etc) and any others. What are some of the best steps people can take in their workplace when it comes to benefiting the environment?<br />
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EB: There’s much we can do at work. From recycling to car-pooling to get there to buying recycled paper, our environmental ethic should not stay cooped up at home.<br />
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EP: What causes the most climate damage in the business world and how can we fix it?<br />
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EB: Power plant emissions are huge, so any way that we can become more energy efficient at work, we accomplish a great deal. Transportation to get to work, and transportation on the job are the other big ones.<br />
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EP: The average person views the Hollywood lifestyle as being very lavish, materialistic and one filled with excess like big homes, expensive cars and clothes, etc. This of course does not apply to you!! When people think this or see this, can they take Hollywood serious when it comes to a green message?<br />
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EB: Hollywood has been a Mecca for excess for a hundred years. That has begun to change, but the entertainment industry needs to do much more.<br />
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EP: Do you think your audits that you conduct inspire the average citizen to know that a Hollywood celebrity is changing their lifestyle to be greener?<br />
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EB: I sure hope so.<br />
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EP: How much of an impact can celebrities have on leading or driving the green movement?<br />
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EB: Anyone famous in Sports, Politics or entertainment can have a very loud voice that the public often responds to. But, with that voice comes great responsibility. It must be used wisely.<br />
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EP: What is the one Earth Promise you are going to make in the future that you have not done yet?<br />
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EB: I’m going to put in an underground Greywater and rainwater collection system.<br />
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EP: Thank you very much. Your input is greatly appreciated.Earth Promise: Green Your Mamatag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-05-05:988554:BlogPost:2279842009-05-05T15:30:00.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Environmentally friendly gifts are all the rage these days, but with the economy still dipping, you can still show Mom how thankful you are. Here are a few ideas that will let Mom know you not only adore her, but Mother Earth as well.<br />
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First and foremost, keep in mind what Mom’s hobbies are. Does she like to curl up with a good book? Purchasing books from a second-hand book store is not only a financially great idea, but applies the reusing thought process. Like Netflix’s movie rental offer of…
Environmentally friendly gifts are all the rage these days, but with the economy still dipping, you can still show Mom how thankful you are. Here are a few ideas that will let Mom know you not only adore her, but Mother Earth as well.<br />
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First and foremost, keep in mind what Mom’s hobbies are. Does she like to curl up with a good book? Purchasing books from a second-hand book store is not only a financially great idea, but applies the reusing thought process. Like Netflix’s movie rental offer of free shipping both ways, sign your mom up for a membership at <b><a href="http://www.bookswim.com/">Book Swim</a></b>. This is an online rental library service that stocks the latest bestsellers and new releases. If mom is a slow reader, no worries; <b><a href="http://www.bookswim.com/">Book Swim</a></b> has no late fees.<br />
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Does Mom enjoy gardening? Purchasing a rose bush in lieu of a dozen roses is a longer lasting gift. If she adores flowers but doesn’t have a green thumb, <b><a href="http://www.organicbouquet.com/">Organic Bouquet</a></b> offers an array of sustainable floral options to fit any budget. You can let Mom know that 5% of your purchase went toward a charitable organization “dedicated to supporting social and environmental causes.” Then there is the eco-alternative of an artificial bouquet…made from elephant poop! Don’t worry–these handmade Thai paper roses crafted from elephant dung are odorless. For that open-minded green mama of yours, these <b><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=17000">Elephant Poo Paper Roses</a></b> are sure to be a hit.<br />
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And how about movies? If she is not a member of <b><a href="http://www.netflix.com/">Netflix</a></b> already, a gift subscription is sure to warm her heart. Otherwise, prepare a special evening with (or for) your mom (or wife) by renting a movie you know that SHE will enjoy. Create a home theater atmosphere: turn off all the lights, make her favorite snack, etc. Remember, it‘s all about MOM!<br />
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A truly unique gift from <b>Uncommon Goods</b> are the <b><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?source=family&amp;itemId=17906">Recycled Kimono Bra Straps</a></b> . Do you ever see Mom’s bra straps hanging out from her tank top? Those clear plastic or beaded bra straps can dig into her shoulders. With the Kimono Bra Straps, each print is exclusive and made from overstocked kimono fabric.<br />
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Try visiting these sites for other Mother-worthy gift ideas:<br />
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<a href="http://wellfed.net/2009/05/05/good-for-mother%E2%80%99s-kitchen-good-for-mother-nature-perfect-for-mother%E2%80%99s-day/">Well Fed Network</a> <a href="http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/04/29/floral-inspired-handmade-gift-ideas-for-mothers-day/"><br />
&gt;Crafting a Green World</a><br />
<a href="http://www.katescaringgifts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&amp;Store_Code=KCG&amp;Category_Code=Mothersday">Kate’s caring Gifts</a><br />
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Just spending quality time with Mom is sure to make her feel loved. Together, you can visit <a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/"><b>Earth Promise</b></a> and create promises to help make a world of difference.<br />
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<i><b>Our Green interviews start again tomorrow, First Interview…Ed Begley Jr.</b></i>Earth Promise: 100 Days of Greentag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-04-29:988554:BlogPost:2236622009-04-29T13:31:07.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Today is the big day—President Obama’s 100th day in office. This is the standard for evaluating a president’s initial achievements. Columnist Suzanne Goldenberg, from U.TV, writes about Obama’s ambitious progress to shift America towards a green future. Amidst the current economic and environmental challenges, Obama has been forced to face a daunting task—devise a recovery package that will help our ailing economy along with transforming a green future. All eyes are on this hopeful leader.…
Today is the big day—President Obama’s 100th day in office. This is the standard for evaluating a president’s initial achievements. Columnist Suzanne Goldenberg, from U.TV, writes about Obama’s ambitious progress to shift America towards a green future. Amidst the current economic and environmental challenges, Obama has been forced to face a daunting task—devise a recovery package that will help our ailing economy along with transforming a green future. All eyes are on this hopeful leader. Goldenberg writes,<br />
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<i>Barack Obama promised on his very first day in the White House to help move America towards a new green future. Now, 100 days on, environmentalists in general have been impressed by the speed and sheer sweep of Obama’s efforts to leave behind the George Bush era of climate change denial, and try to set in place the foundations of a low carbon future.</i><br />
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To read about Obama’s green agenda, click <a href="http://u.tv/News/Barack-Obamas-100-days-Green-measures/0b868217-5722-4cce-a6d6-c80a0746d872">here</a>.<br />
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Remember, now is a perfect time to start making your <a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/">Earth Promises</a>!Earth Promise “21 in 21″ Interview Series - Yoko Onotag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-04-15:988554:BlogPost:2138292009-04-15T13:15:40.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Yoko Ono is an artist, singer, songwriter, musician, filmmaker and peace activist who lives and works in New York City.<br />
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In addition to the Imagine Peace website, you can also check out the following sites for more information on Yoko Ono - Twitter, Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, MySpace, You Tube, Vimeo, Flickr<br />
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Earth Promise: Why is EARTH HOUR so important to you and what do you want people to learn from it?<br />
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Yoko Ono: We are constantly creating more skyscrapers, when getting down to…
Yoko Ono is an artist, singer, songwriter, musician, filmmaker and peace activist who lives and works in New York City.<br />
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In addition to the Imagine Peace website, you can also check out the following sites for more information on Yoko Ono - Twitter, Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, MySpace, You Tube, Vimeo, Flickr<br />
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Earth Promise: Why is EARTH HOUR so important to you and what do you want people to learn from it?<br />
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Yoko Ono: We are constantly creating more skyscrapers, when getting down to taking care of Earth is more important. Let’s return the skyline to the sky. Recall our love for Earthline.<br />
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EP: Many people may participate in EARTH HOUR, turn the lights out, feel good about themselves, and then go back to their old habits at on March 29th. What are some ways that we can make sure that this won’t happen and that something will stick?<br />
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YO: The memory of having participated in the ritual will always be part of us. The more we do, the better. It will start to “stick” as you say.<br />
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EP: What would John think about the state of planet today? How involved would he be in the environmental movement?<br />
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YO: He would, of course, be very much into environmental issues, as he has always been.<br />
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EP: Whenever there is cause that needs a solution, music is always a part of it. Yet unlike with war, there has not been very much pro-planet or pro-environment music. Why do you think this is?<br />
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YO: Music is so powerful, it needs no title to make it pro-environmental and pro-planetary. Music is already a very pro-environmental and pro-planetary media.<br />
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EP: How do you think that music make a difference in the green revolution?<br />
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YO: The vibration of music is green.<br />
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EP: Peace has always been a huge part of your life, work, music and art. How is environmental health tied to peace?<br />
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YO: The vibration of music and art crates physical and mental health, and peace.<br />
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EP: What changes, or Earth Promises as we call them, have you made in your lifestyle to be more green? Changes in home, travel, work, with your kids and community?<br />
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YO: I am just going with the flow. No intentional change was made.<br />
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EP: There are lots of people who fit into two eco groups - “think green”, meaning they know there is an environmental issue and they are concerned, but do not take any steps to help. Then there is the “act green” group who takes action and makes changes to help the environment. Getting people to move from the “think green” group to the “act green” group is the key. What steps can be taken to make this transfer happen?<br />
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YO: I say Think Peace, Act Peace, Spread Peace and ask your friends to IMAGINE PEACE.<br />
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EP: New York City is going to be one of the main model green cities of the United States. How proud are you to be living in the city? What aspects have you personally seen in NYC that is green?<br />
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YO: People’s minds.<br />
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EP: Thank you. It has a true honor to have you involved in this series.Earth Promise “21 in 21″ Interview Series: Howard Waldman - Green Dean for the Ethical Culture Fieldston Schooltag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-04-13:988554:BlogPost:2126892009-04-13T14:43:13.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Howard Waldman - Green Dean for the Ethical Culture Fieldston School<br />
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Howard Waldman is the Green Dean for the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in Riverdale, New York. He works on sustainability issues at the school, both pertaining to the physical plant and curriculum development. In addition, he oversees work on the Middle School building’s green roof.<br />
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Earth Promise: What changes, or Earth Promises as we call them, have you made in your lifestyle to be more green? Changes in home, travel,…
Howard Waldman - Green Dean for the Ethical Culture Fieldston School<br />
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Howard Waldman is the Green Dean for the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in Riverdale, New York. He works on sustainability issues at the school, both pertaining to the physical plant and curriculum development. In addition, he oversees work on the Middle School building’s green roof.<br />
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Earth Promise: What changes, or Earth Promises as we call them, have you made in your lifestyle to be more green? Changes in home, travel, work, with your kids and community?<br />
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Howard Waldman: Well when my wife and I decided it was time to buy a house we decided to buy as close as we could to our places of work, so that we don’t have an energy-consuming, excessively carbon-producing commute. We also resisted the impulse to buy a second car, much as logistics with two kids have sometimes forced us to be creative. In the summer, when I go to school, I usually bike. There’s a great path we can take through two parks most of the way to school, and after my daughter can ride a mountain bike, we hope sometimes to bike to school.<br />
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EP: What was your first, ah ha! Green moment?<br />
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HW: I think I’ve had a lot of them. The first might have been, when as a little boy, I realized with some horror that the ant I had just fried with a magnifying glass was living being, and that I ought to respect all kinds of life. More recently, just last year, I was interviewed by a student about the “Greening” of our school. After I spoke in depth about the LEED-certified middle school building, she asked me about any other aspects of the school that spoke to sustainability. When I described a gardening program in the Lower School, she asked me what about the garden had to do with sustainability. I paused, almost shaking. I realized that this was a systemic problem in society, the inability of people to make connections between themselves and the living world around them. It is this difficulty that makes it hard for us to understand that where our food comes from, where are electricity comes from, how we get to work, has far-reaching effects.<br />
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EP: What are some of your eco pet peeves?<br />
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HW: I don’t like when people say “We have to save the earth.” The earth has no need of saving, but we do! In addition, I would hate to see some really wonderful species disappear because of human ignorance or apathy. But many species will survive and outlive us. We must understand that we are not the only show on Earth.<br />
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I also have trouble with people jumping on the green bandwagon but not walking the walk. I include myself in this category, but I am constantly reevaluating my lifestyle and slowly trying to make it more green.<br />
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EP: I have read about some of the great things being accomplished at the Fieldston School. Tell me a little about what has been done to date and what is planned for the future?<br />
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HW: Fieldston recently built a new gymnasium and a new Middle School building. For both of these buildings we took great pains to make them as environmentally sustainable as we could given the costs, the setting, and the requirements. We are very proud that the Middle School building is “Silver” LEED-certified, meaning that it has been independently assessed by the Green Building Council to have incorporated a number of sustainable design concepts. These include stones quarried on site, certified-sustainable wood, state-of-the-art computer controlled heating and cooling systems, big windows that can be opened and that allow the lights to be turned off often, motion-sensitive light switches that automatically turn off the lights when no one is in a classroom, waterless urinals in the boys’ rooms, and a green roof.<br />
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We are particularly excited about our green roof, which not only prevents thousands of gallons of water from pouring into New York City’s overburdened Combined-Sewage-Overflow (CSO) system, but remains cooler than ambient air in warm weather and warmer in cold weather. It is outfitted with sensing equipment that allows us to measure, air temperatures, humidity, albedo and make comparisons between our green roof and a nearby black roof. Check out the data at http://www.ecfs.org/news.aspx?id=116. In addition, the teaching portion of this roof has allowed 6th grade science students to learn about mapping and plant identification. It’s allowed 9th grade biology students to study plant ecology and competition. We give tours of the roof to teachers and parents from other schools, architects, and horticulturalists.<br />
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EP: What was the inspiration of going down this green path?<br />
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HW: The best way to put it is that ECFS sees going green and as ethical imperative. LEED certification was part of the plan from the beginning—and we were guided at ECFS by our first Green Dean, Peter Mott, who tirelessly pushed for every sustainability feature we could incorporate. We are not perfect by any means but as we make modifications we hope to continue to improve our carbon foot print at all parts of the campus.<br />
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EP: How involved are the students? What do they do?<br />
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HW: We have very active environmental clubs at both the Middle School and High School. They recently worked coordinated our “Lights Out” event, in which every light switch and computer was turned off in all buildings for fifteen minutes so that we could make some baseline measurements of our energy usage, and to raise awareness about all the places that we literally can save energy, carbon and money by flipping a switch. Now they are working on an Earth Day Carnival and related Earth Week events.<br />
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EP: Have you seen an increase in the involvement over time?<br />
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HW: Sustainability and Global Warming are hot topics these days (pun intended), and so kids are more interested. We are seeing more kids wanting to help, but we have a long way to go. I want us to get to the point where a student would no more think of tossing a can into the regular garbage than s/he would of jumping off a bridge. Well perhaps that’s a bit extreme but you get the point.<br />
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EP: Although the greenifying of the school will be financial benefit for the years to come, was it a big monetary impact to start? Was there any pushback on this from administrators, teachers, parents or others?<br />
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HW: Though building sustainably definitely costs more short term, we have had unified support from all constituencies at ECFS. This has been gratifying, but every new initiative has to be carefully vetted, especially in these tough economic times.<br />
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EP: What advice would you give to other schools who are thinking about taking similar steps as Fieldston?<br />
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HW: Get the community to commit. Go for the low-hanging fruit (turning off lights, closing windows in winter). Find out the real costs of “green building”. They may not be as high as you think. Look into green roofs and solar panels. Look for support at other schools, for example the Green Schools Alliance (GSA) http://www.greenschoolsalliance.org/. Partner with institutions of higher education—we have had enormous help from professors and graduate students at Columbia University for example.<br />
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EP: Thanks. Great information.Earth Promise “21 in 21″ Interview Series: Stefani Newman, eco-writer and Founder of teensygreentag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-04-10:988554:BlogPost:2116762009-04-10T23:04:02.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Stefani Newman, eco-writer and Founder of teensygreen<br />
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Stefani is a daughter, wife, mom, sister, freelance copywriter, art teacher and green educator (for anyone who will listen)! A native New Yorker, Stefani started teensygreen.com in July of 2007 while living in the beautiful country of Panama, where she lived by the Pacific Ocean for the first time. She now resides in South Florida with her wonderful husband and two beautiful, talented, curious, life-loving daughters, who help her with shell…
Stefani Newman, eco-writer and Founder of teensygreen<br />
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Stefani is a daughter, wife, mom, sister, freelance copywriter, art teacher and green educator (for anyone who will listen)! A native New Yorker, Stefani started teensygreen.com in July of 2007 while living in the beautiful country of Panama, where she lived by the Pacific Ocean for the first time. She now resides in South Florida with her wonderful husband and two beautiful, talented, curious, life-loving daughters, who help her with shell collecting, messy cooking, and library adventures. Stefani hopes to help like-minded parents make economical, educational and safe eco-choices for families - whatever shade of green families choose to be!<br />
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Earth Promise: What changes, or Earth Promises as we call them, have you made in your lifestyle to be more green? Changes in home, travel, work, with your kids and community?<br />
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Stefani Newman: I hope my Earth Promises are well rounded! I do simple things like only run my dishwasher when it’s bursting, washing clothes in cold water, using glass storage containers for food instead of plastic, etc. Last year, my husband and I invested in an electric composter, which turned out to be a great investment. Our plants are thriving on our compost, we don’t buy fertilizer, and we feel a sense of accomplishment by not throwing our food waste down the disposal.<br />
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We also buy carbon offsets for our home and travel. I have a long commute each day and don’t want to neglect the fact that I’m on the road a lot. With my kids, we try and teach them about conservation and recycling. This has worked a little too well - my older daughter finds ways to keep every box and container for art projects, and is constantly watching our water use. Nothing escapes the little ones!<br />
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EP: What was your first, ah ha! Green moment?<br />
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SN: My ‘grownup’ ah ha moment was in 2007, when my family was relocating to the country of Panama. We had a fairly new (and large) home, but packing it up to move ended up being a nightmare. We only wanted to take “the essentials,” but I became overwhelmed with cleaning out our house, especially my two daughter’s toys and junk. We ended up giving a lot away, and putting more into storage. I started teensygreen in Panama, after thinking about how we could make our home more efficient.<br />
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Now that we’re back in the US, we’re very conscious about, well, everything! This includes the size of our home, and what goes into it, so that we don’t go overboard with stuff. You can’t have more than you have room for, right? Well, I guess you can, but that’s the whole point. We’re very aware of the space we need, and we’re trying to stay within our boundaries.<br />
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EP: What are some of the things that anger you or drive you crazy that you see people do that hurts the environment?<br />
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SN: Excuses drive me crazy more than anything. I don’t preach being green, but when people tell me they can’t do something because of x, y or z, I start rethinking my approach! Birthday party excess also drives me nuts, and I’ve worked hard to make changes with something like that as well. Anything is possible, even with cake and presents!<br />
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EP: Tell me about some of the sites you write for now or in the past related to the environment?<br />
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SN: My first eco-writing gig, and where I think I really caught the eco-bug, was for Ecorazzi. I was living in Panama, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had just toured the site where Frank Gehry’s Museum of Biodiversity is being built. All of a sudden, celebs were all over South America, and it was a great time to be writing about it. My husband found Ecorazzi and thought I should write for them - I emailed them, and soon became part of a great team of pop culture-obsessed environmentalists. I loved combing the news for green (or, even better, not so green) celebs! It was a great starting point for me and gave me great research and writing experience.<br />
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Now I write for Brita’s Filter For Good campaign, which promotes using filtered water in reusable bottles instead of bottled water. This blog gives me a lot of freedom to write about personal experiences. I did a month-long composting adventure series, which was really fun to write, and I give my opinion about more social issues there as well. I’m also the “Green Genius” for a great new site called Working Moms Lifeline, which I’m so proud to be a part of. It’s probably the biggest writing challenge for me - I really try to intersect going green with being a working mom, without talking too much about products for kids or adults.<br />
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EP: What would you ask the readers of this interview and the visitors to your site to do to help the environment?<br />
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SN: I guess I would ask people to really look at their lives - their habits, patterns, needs and wants - and be honest about what they can do (and do without)! It’s not all about recycling and buying organic - as we know, the economy these days doesn’t allow many people to be free with money, and organic foods and products may not be within people’s budgets.<br />
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Helping the environment also includes doing things like using your kid’s artwork as wrapping paper instead of throwing it away, or setting up a rain barrel to water your plants instead of using a garden hose. It may take some thinking outside the box, but changes are possible if you want them.<br />
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EP: Speaking about teensygreen and other sites focused on children and parents, how should we be teaching our children about this issue? What are some good sources of information that you or others you know use to inform them about it?<br />
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SN: There are so many issues to bring to children! It can be anything from animals to sending shoes to children who can’t afford them. This is the best time to teach kids compassion, which is the ultimate lesson for the environment, right?<br />
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Finding a good cause that you or children are interested in is pretty easy to find. If you’re looking for a cause to support, Charity Navigator is a great place to start. They feature reputable charities from all over the world, and it’s worth looking through as a springboard to speaking with your kids about giving back. Your own community always needs help as well, so check out local magazines and newspapers for volunteering opportunities.<br />
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EP: Which green blogs are you reading now? Who do you think is being innovative in eco-living?<br />
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SN: I read way too many blogs! Mainstream blogs like Treehugger are good for news, but I love what other people are doing as well - you can always depend on someone coming up with a new twist on an old topic. My favorite blogs right now for going green with kids are Green and Clean Mom, Eco Child’s Play, Petite Planet, and for a great design and overall eco-”stuff” site, Inhabitots.<br />
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EP: Were you “green” as a child?<br />
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SN: I guess at heart I was always a ‘green’ kid, in my own way. I grew up in an apartment in a large city - my playgrounds were mostly concrete! But, I was always outside, even in the winter, and I was fortunate to go to a wonderful sleepaway camp at a young age that was tucked in the Pocono Mountains. I’ve always had a huge interest in nature and animals, and loved going to museums. I was fortunate to have a wonderful nature center nearby, and lots of family to take me there!<br />
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When recycling became all the rage, I was definitely the recycling drill sergeant! And I became involved with Greenpeace and World Wildlife Fund in high school, both whom I still support.<br />
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EP: What about in school. If you could get all the teachers, principals, and administrators in a room, what steps would you ask them to take regarding helping the environment?<br />
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SN: You want to yell, “Do anything you can!” We all know about budget and time constraints, however, as well as lack of assistance from parents. Jill Buck and her organization, called the Go Green Initiative, works with schools around the world to help schools work more efficiently, as well as sets up eco-education programs that are smart and helpful in the classroom. There’s a ton of free info out there, and I think if teachers and administrators just took the time to do research, they can make a lot happen.<br />
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EP: Whether through what you see in the viewership of your site, on TV, or just by looking around, are you seeing an uptick in the number of eco-conscious people? Not simply in the number of readers or viewers, but in the level in how people are making changes in their lifestyles?<br />
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SN: That’s a tough one. I think it’s very trendy to be green, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing! We as bloggers and environmentalists have a responsibility to make sure what we write about doesn’t go in one ear and out the other - it’s not about preaching, but about educating and informing. Allowing people to make their own choices may be the hardest part, but I feel great for trying!<br />
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On a personal note, I unfortunately don’t see a lot of my neighbors take a big interest in being green, but again, it’s not for me to judge. I’m learning that as people become part of a larger community, it’s a larger effort needed for motivation. People think recycling is good enough, because they have the bins and trucks that pick up the waste. It takes a lot more commitment to help people understand that going further is what really counts.<br />
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EP: There are lots of people who fit into two eco groups - “think green”, meaning they know there is an environmental issue and they are concerned, but do not take any steps to help. Then there is the “act green” group who takes action and makes changes to help the environment. Getting people to move from the “think green” group to the “act green” group is key. What steps can be taken to make this transfer happen?<br />
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SN: Like I always say, you have to do what you can. If you have a “think green” interest, such as green education, than find a way to incorporate it into your life. That could be from volunteering at an Earth Day event to helping a school develop a green initiative. It doesn’t need to be all or nothing - it’s all about baby steps to following a passion you may have!<br />
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Just by reading blogs and sites, and taking a deeper interest in a cause is a great first step to acting green.<br />
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EP: How do you think we can make being green in the lives of kids more of a common practice?<br />
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SN: If you make it a point to live simply and compassionately, your kids will definitely follow. Kids lead by example - if you make it a point to incorporate clean, green living into your day, don’t think your kids aren’t paying attention!<br />
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EP: When it does become commonplace for them, what is our best avenue to prevent our children from going backward and being lazy about environmental issues?<br />
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SN: With kids, I think it all depends on age. Young children can be constantly reminded about doing things like turning off lights and water, helping to keep the Earth clean, etc. Speaking to them about global warming can be a little scary, so we have to adjust our language for different age groups. Teens and young adults are the groups that need to be challenged the most. They can understand the more dire issues, and are left with the responsibility of keeping environmental issues in the forefront. Like anything with kids, keeping open conversations and voicing concerns, (and a little luck that they’re listening, I guess) is key!<br />
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EP: Is there a way to teach children that being green is fun? What tips do you have for making the education of going green fun?<br />
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SN: Kids are like sponges, and are curious beyond belief. I love finding new projects to try together. We garden; we’ve recycled old, worn down crayons; I love to get books about animals and go on websites with them. Right now, the grosser the animal, the better, so we read a lot about insects. The questions kids ask are amazing! I find myself explaining why ants and dung beetles are meant to live on this planet, and it opens my eyes to whole new worlds. Pick a topic to research with your kids, and I guarantee you’ll learn something new as well!<br />
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The message of being green is somewhat being taught to children via the movies. For example, WALL-E. What is your opinion about the use of video games as an educational tool?<br />
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I’m a product of Atari and Nintendo, and I can say for sure that video games are pretty much a huge time waster. Videos and movies are a bit different - I got the message from WALL-E, but for my kids, (who are 6 and 4) it was a little too abstract. We love taking out videos about animals and nature - so much easier to relate to! But never underestimate the power of books…<br />
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EP: What is the one Earth Promise you are going to make in the future that you have not done yet?<br />
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SN: There are so many! I love Earth Promise for finding new ways to go green. There’s a new “eco-dry cleaners” in my area, so I’m going to try some investigative journalism and see if it’s really green. I would love to help organize an Earth Day event next year for my daughter’s school, or set up a recycling center for a specific organization. For my kids, getting out on our bikes more is something I’d like to make a habit - sneaking in exercise with outdoor time is great for everyone. The best part of making promises is, the possibilities are endless!<br />
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EP: Thank you. This has been great.Earth Promise “21 in 21″ Interview Series: Leslie Drogin - Government Affairs Analysttag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-04-09:988554:BlogPost:2109812009-04-09T13:44:57.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Leslie Drogin - Government Affairs Analyst at the law firm, K&amp;L Gates, and former Senior Advisor for Policy and Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy<br />
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Ms. Drogin is currently a Government Affairs Analyst in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. She focuses on energy policy. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Drogin worked as a Senior Advisor for Policy and Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). In this…
Leslie Drogin - Government Affairs Analyst at the law firm, K&amp;L Gates, and former Senior Advisor for Policy and Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy<br />
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Ms. Drogin is currently a Government Affairs Analyst in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. She focuses on energy policy. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Drogin worked as a Senior Advisor for Policy and Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). In this position she advised the Assistant Secretary on policies to strengthen America’s energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships that serve to enhance energy efficiency and productivity, and bring clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace. She also worked for the White House in the Office of the Staff Secretary and for the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Executive Office of the President.<br />
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Earth Promise: What changes, or Earth Promises as we call them, have you made in your lifestyle to be more green? Changes in home, travel, work, with your kids and community?<br />
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Leslie Drogin: In an effort to be more green I have made simple changes in my lifestyle over the past few years. I recycle plastic, cans, glass and paper, and I try to limit the usage of plastic bags when shopping. I unplug my computer when it is not being used and I have changed all the light bulbs in my home to CFLs to conserve energy. I also walk to and from work or take public transportation on a daily basis instead of driving my own vehicle.<br />
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EP: What was your first, ah ha! Green moment?<br />
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LD: For three weeks in October 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy hosted the Solar Decathlon—a competition in which 20 teams of college and university students competed to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The Solar Decathlon is also an event to which the public was invited to observe the powerful combination of solar energy, energy efficiency, and the best in home design. I toured each of the houses and remember being “wowed” by all the small changes I could make to be more energy efficient in my own home.<br />
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EP: You are currently at the firm, K&amp;L Gates, and your focus is on energy policy. Can you tell us about the firm and your involvement in this area? Who do you interact with in your role?<br />
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LD: K&amp;L Gates, LLP is a global law that comprises 1,900 lawyers who practice in 32 offices located on three continents. The Policy Group is one of the largest lobbying practices in the United States. Within the Policy group I am a part of the Energy Policy team. We help clients on all aspects of energy research, technology development, production, transportation, pricing, taxation and regulation. We work several projects every year in the annual energy-related appropriations bills and closely track the Department of Energy budget process. Our experience in energy issues includes all aspects of nuclear power, renewables (such as hydropower, solar, hydrogen, and biomass), coal technology, oil and gas, electric utilities, and advanced storage and transportation technologies. We are actively engaged in promoting energy policies as part of comprehensive energy and climate change legislation. Most of my clients are companies in the renewable energy or energy efficiency space that are looking to maximize and benefit from federal opportunities.<br />
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EP: Prior to your job at K&amp;L Gates, you worked in the George W. Bush Administration and was the Senior Advisor for Policy and Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). What was your role in policy and who did you interact with?<br />
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LD: Prior to joining K&amp;L Gates I worked as a Senior Advisor for Policy and Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). In this position I advised the Assistant Secretary and other senior staff on policies to strengthen America’s energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships that serve to enhance energy efficiency and productivity, and bring clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace. In this capacity I interacted with DOE officials, industry stakeholders and executives, finance community members, and state and local government representatives.<br />
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EP: What was your #1 accomplishment during your time working with the White House?<br />
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LD: As a political appointee in DOE my greatest professional accomplishment was the establishment and facilitation of the CEO Outreach Program. This goal of this program was to match energy industry executives with their counterparts in the federal government so as to make DOE a tangible resource and a “one stop shop” on how to navigate the federal government. During the two years I led this program we met with over 400 company officials and helped many of them find innovative ways to work with the federal government. Companies received information regarding funding opportunities, annual conferences, program reviews, and mechanisms for working in foreign nations, which proved to be valuable sources of business acumen. On the flip side, DOE officials learned about challenges facing energy companies and market trends.<br />
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As a political appointee in DOE my greatest personal accomplishment was being asked by the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden to represent DOE and participate in a Cleantech Trade Mission to Sweden and Denmark. Additionally on this mission, I was asked to be a panelist at the World Bioenergy Conference in Jonkoping, Sweden, to discuss DOE’s work on second generation biofuels.<br />
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EP: Cars are one of the major problems when it comes to the environment. Our dependence on oil, our gas guzzling cars, our resistance to change. What are some of the changes you would like to see regarding the auto industry?<br />
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LD: I would like to see our transportation system electrified. The United States currently spends $2 billion a day to pay for imported oil, and in 2007 the United States borrowed and spent nearly $319 billion to meet its dependence on foreign oil. The percentage of imported oil consumed by the United States has continued to increase, rising from 34% in 1974 to 60% in 2007. This dependence on foreign oil has led to a fundamental shift in the public policy surrounding oil. There is a growing recognition that oil currently fails to meet the three essential tests as a fuel: 1) is it affordable? 2) is it secure? and, 3) is it environmentally clean? Installing an infrastructure of charging stations across the country for consumers with electric vehicles to replace or charge their existing batteries is a prerequisite before mass development and sales of plug-in cars can begin.<br />
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I would also like to see second generation biofuels (fuels made from non-food feedstocks) scaled up to penetrate the market. There has been a lot of innovation in the biofuels area with feedstocks such as algae and jatropha and I am hopeful that we will find alternatives to gasoline that will help to decrease our dependence on foreign oil.<br />
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EP: Renewable or reusable energies are such an unknown. Wind, solar, natural gas. Yet we’ve been researching them for years. Why does it take so long to make this change when we know it can happen?<br />
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LD: There are a few issues preventing renewables from becoming their own sustainable industries. The first is cost. Many technologies are still expensive and only when the price to is lowered will they be able to be scaled up, commercialized, and purchased by consumers. The second is variability. Most sources of renewable energy—solar, wind, and tidal power—have a pretty significant limitation: the energy source is variable. The sun isn’t always up, the wind doesn’t always blow, and the tides come and go, all of which leaves those running the energy grid with the challenge of evening out the power supply. The third issue is storage. With the need for renewable energy contributing to the electric grid on a national scale, additional energy storage facilities need to be created to store intermittent power and make it available on demand. Technologies that have storage capacity such as batteries, compressed air and thermal storage are still being researched and developed before they can be deployed. Finally, the economy in its current state contributes to the delay because many projects are stalled due to a lack of funding. While technologies have been developed they are facing the commercialization “valley of death”. Basically, there is not enough capital to get them off the shelf, scaled up, and into the market.<br />
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EP: In what ways will green awareness and green initiatives help us, both as a country as well as individually?<br />
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LD: Energy independence is essential for our national security. Being “green” is no longer associated with being red or blue but rather, it is widely accepted that changes regarding our energy policies need to be made.<br />
The cleantech revolution has forced the federal government to lead by example and be first consumer of many new technologies. The federal government is the largest single consumer of energy and green awareness and green initiatives have become the forefront of energy policy.<br />
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The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides many opportunities to make a difference in that there is a lot of focus on “shovel ready” green projects and green collar jobs that can stimulate the economy.<br />
EP: One of President Obama’s environmental goals is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Another is to ensure that 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025. Do you think these goals are achievable? What are some of the road blocks from that happening?<br />
I do believe that President Obama’s goals can be achieved. However, in this market there needs to be considerable federal funding available to those companies that are on the verge of commercialization but do not have the funds to scale up their projects.<br />
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With comprehensive energy and climate change legislation expected to be addressed in Congress this spring/summer, I think we will see new policies and programs that are put in place in an effort to realize this Administration’s goals. We are already hearing talk of a cap and trade system and this legislative cycle may very well be the session that it gets passed and implemented.<br />
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EP: Were you “green” as a child?<br />
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LD: Growing up my parents encouraged us to recycle and always asked for paper bags at grocery store instead of plastic ones. I was instructed not to run water unnecessarily and to turn off the lights when leaving a room. I was also told to shut off the television or other appliances when I had finished using them so as not to waste energy needlessly.<br />
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EP: What is the one Earth Promise you are going to make in the future that you have not done yet? Feel free to answer this as Leslie Drogin the person or the professional.<br />
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LD: I am going to make an effort to wash more dishes by hand so that I cut back on the amount of times I run the dishwasher. Considering I tend to hand wash the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, I could save some energy by letting them air dry.<br />
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I also planning to bring my own reusable shopping bags when running errands in order to try and zero out the number of plastic bags I receive and bring home.<br />
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EP: Thank you for your time. Greatly appreciatedEarth Promise “21 in 21″ Interview Series - Tim Leffel, Travel Writertag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-04-04:988554:BlogPost:2085972009-04-04T17:24:21.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Tim Leffel - Travel Writer<br />
Award-winning travel writer Tim Leffel is author of several books including Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune and Traveler’s Tool Kit: Mexico and Central America. He has dispatched articles from five continents, for a wide variety of media outlets. He frequently reviews eco-friendly items on the Practical Travel Gear blog and is editor of Perceptive Travel , a narrative webzine featuring articles from wandering book authors. In addition to the links just…
Tim Leffel - Travel Writer<br />
Award-winning travel writer Tim Leffel is author of several books including Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune and Traveler’s Tool Kit: Mexico and Central America. He has dispatched articles from five continents, for a wide variety of media outlets. He frequently reviews eco-friendly items on the Practical Travel Gear blog and is editor of Perceptive Travel , a narrative webzine featuring articles from wandering book authors. In addition to the links just mentioned, for more information about Tim, check out http://www.TimLeffel.com<br />
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Earth Promise: What changes, or Earth Promises as we call them, have you made in your lifestyle to be more green? Changes in home, travel, work, with your kids and community?<br />
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Tim Leffel: I’ve done a lot of standard things over the years at home, like composting, recycling, and installing compact fluorescents. Plus my little car will sit in the driveway for days without moving: I bike and walk a lot in my hundred-year-old neighborhood. I wear out things before getting rid of them and we try to recycle things we don’t want any more through yard sales and donations. In everyday conversations I try to make my daughter think about the idea of waste and conservation. I have learned to buy quality travel clothes that will last instead of buying cheap things that I have to get rid of in a year or two.<br />
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EP: Were you “green” as a child?<br />
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TL: Yes, but that’s because my parents were schoolteachers and we were poor! Plus we lived in a rural area without garbage collection, so we had to haul all the trash to the county dump. Not much got wasted around our house.<br />
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EP: What was your first, ah ha! Green moment?<br />
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TL: Seeing a pile of plastic water bottles six feet high and about 40 feet across on an otherwise pristine island in Thailand. Most of those were consumed in an hour by tourists and then tossed. I’m sure they’re all still there, but the pile is much bigger.<br />
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EP: Tell me a little about what you have written about in the travel world and the environment?<br />
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TL: I have some travel books out and I run the Practical Travel Gear Blog which, as its name would suggest, covers items that the average person can afford rather than $500 windbreakers and $4,000 diving watches like most magazines do. I try to review as much eco-friendly gear as I can and also mention when the green claim isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’ve written about responsible travel for Transitions Abroad magazine (now online only as TransitionsAbroad.com) for nearly two decades, including several articles on lowering your environmental impact as a traveler.<br />
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EP: I am going to say an aspect of travel and you tell me some ways I can green my experience. First one – staying at a hotel.<br />
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TL: The simplest way to be more green is to choose hotels that aren’t wasteful to start with. Small, family-run hotels owned by locals are nearly always a better choice than an international chain hotel, no matter what kind of initiatives that chain hotel has put in place lately. The price has very little to do with it, though in all fairness a true eco-resort is going to cost more than a basic hotel because they have higher system costs (such as solar panels or waste processing). Plus they’re hauling recyclables to some faraway spot instead of just tossing them into a hole or relying on local municipal services—which are usually seriously lacking outside of the U.S. and Europe. Also remember that air conditioning sucks up a huge amount of energy and in a lot of breezy tropical beach areas it’s not really necessary if the architecture is designed correctly.<br />
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EP: Air travel.<br />
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TL: People get really hung up on carbon offsets and the benefits of driving instead of flying, but after a certain distance air travel is more efficient in comparison to, say, driving from New York to Buenos Aires. Drive or take a train for places you can get to in half a day and don’t use private jets, but commercial flights are better past a certain point. (Plus if you don’t buy that ticket, the plane will still go without you—unless you all boycott at the same time, for the same route.) If you can fly direct, obviously that’s better than connecting in some out-of-the-way hub in the wrong direction. But to think people will all stop flying and we’ll go back to four-day train trips across the country anytime soon is a pipe dream. Life moves too fast now.<br />
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EP: Preparation for a trip.<br />
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TL: If you’re going someplace where you can’t drink the tap water, get a water purifier! Boycotting plastic water bottles will have a bigger impact than anything: less waste, less production cost, and less garbage on the roadsides. (I personally love the Steripen—very compact and dead simple to use.) Buy durable gear that will last instead of travel clothes and luggage that you have to replace every two years. Know where you’re going: buy (or check out from the library) a good guidebook so you can figure out how to get around efficiently.<br />
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EP: Where I travel.<br />
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TL: This doesn’t matter all that much in the grand scheme of things—it’s a global world that’s all connected now. But I would argue that people in a developing country could use your travel money to better use than ones in say, France. Otherwise try to get the most use out of the energy used up on a long flight. If you’re going all the way to Bali or Sydney, spend some real time there instead of doing a quick jaunt of a week or less. Of course I would be remiss if I didn’t say traveling in your own region by car is always going to be more efficient than flying to South Africa. Some areas of the globe are overtaxed, but I’m not going to tell someone not to go to Machu Picchu or the Galapagos for the sake of preservation: it’s the responsibility of the local governments to take steps that will keep the numbers in check because we can’t collectively put aside our own desires to do that. It’s a rare person that’s going to say, “I won’t go to Ankor Wat because I’ve heard the foot traffic and hotel water they use are hurting the monuments.”<br />
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EP: How can someone save money by traveling green? Give me some examples.<br />
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TL: Taking public transportation is not only more efficient, it’s far cheaper than taxis and rental cars. The smallest rental cars are generally the cheapest and if you can drive a stick shift, you’ll save money doing that in Europe while getting better gas mileage. Internationally, small, independent hotels are generally a better value than ones run by corporations based a thousand miles away—and they use less energy. Simple restaurants or street stalls that use lots of local ingredients in season are almost always going to cost less than institutions catering to the whims of homesick tourists. Moving around slowly in your travels instead of zipping from place to place to check items off a list is not only greener, it costs less.<br />
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EP: You have visited many countries as a travel writer. Which ones do you feel care the most about the environment? What about the least?<br />
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TL: Costa Rica is the model that everyone else looks to in terms of green tourism. They’re not perfect and many would argue the increased popularity is offsetting many of those efforts, but they get it right more often than most. New Zealand is probably a better example because they have more financial resources to get coordinated and preserve parkland. Iceland is blessed with geothermal energy supplying most of the country’s hot water and electricity. If they didn’t share the American obsession with big automobiles, they would be the greenest country on the planet without even trying. They could be completely carbon-free in a decade or less. There’s a lot of awareness elsewhere in Europe, but also a lot of mixed signals: an aversion to tap water in restaurants and an outright ban on more efficient farming methods for a start. The worst countries (and cities) are the ones where there is little commitment from the government. Mexico City is getting better because the mayor really cares about improving the environment, but Saigon and New Delhi get worse every year because nobody is making the environment a priority. In developing countries, the citizens have too many basic needs problems for action to bubble up from individuals like it does in richer countries. It has to start at the top or there at least has to be a clear economic incentive to be less wasteful, either a penalty or a prize.<br />
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EP: Do you feel that companies related to the travel industries such as airlines, hotels, cruise ships, etc. are behind the green movement?<br />
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TL: Now they finally are, but only because they’ve been whacked upside the head with it and forced to act. Last year the Explora hotel on Easter Island opened as the first LEED-certified hotel in South America. I think they’re still the only one. As of last fall there were only 13 of them in the whole U.S. What have they been waiting for? Airlines didn’t start thinking about efficiency until oil hit $100 a barrel. Cruise ships have been dragged kicking and screaming into making changes to their wasteful method of travel. I stayed in quite a few “green” hotels when I first started traveling around the world in the early 1990s, so it’s not like this concept just came out of nowhere. Most big corporations just didn’t start to act until customers forced their hand and energy costs started rising. They’ve jumped on for economic reasons and because of customer complaints, not because they were out in front of the issue.<br />
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EP: Are you seeing an uptick in the amount of “green travel” where people are conscious of making the right choices either in where they go, what they do or how they do it?<br />
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TL: Yes, it’s becoming a big issue for a lot of travelers and there’s a whole sub-industry sprouting up to take advantage of that. It won’t be long before the local Day’s Inn claims to be a “green hotel” and every travel clothing company has a whole line of supposedly green products. People don’t approach it very logically though and look at the big picture of their actions. Staying at a supposed eco-resort doesn’t make much difference if you flew there on a private jet and you’re going out on Hummer expeditions every day. Taking the train doesn’t help if you chugged four plastic water bottles between you and opened six snack packs in individual wrappings on the way. Traveling by RV is wasteful no matter how energy efficient the RV park is that night. Worrying about offsetting your carbon footprint for a flight is silly if you stay at the most wasteful hotel and take taxis everywhere after arrival. The most visible and talked-about “green travel” initiatives are rarely the ones that have the most impact.<br />
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EP: What is the one Earth Promise you are going to make in the future that you have not done yet?<br />
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TL: I think it would be a good idea to install a rain barrel under one of my gutters to use for watering the plants outside, but I never seem to get around to it…<br />
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EP: Thank you very much. Great information!<br />
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Tags: 21 in 21, carbon footprint, change, changes, climate change, conservation, earth, earth day, earth promise, earthpromise, eco-friendly, energy, energy efficient, environment, environmental, global warming, green, green air travel, green changes, green holiday, green hotel, green interviews, green living, green practice, green practices, green tips, green travel, green your travel, interview, interviews, perceptive travel, tim leffel, travel, travel writerEarth Promise Announces "21 in 21" Interview Series in Honor of Earth Daytag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-03-31:988554:BlogPost:2069912009-03-31T20:59:49.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
As a lead up to Earth Day on April 22nd, Earth Promise will post an interview each day between April 1st and April 21st giving different perspectives about the environment from influential people in the green community. The subjects in the “21 in 21” interview series will give their opinions and thoughts on various topics from how each person greens their lives, the impact they are making in their fields, recommendations for what we can do for the environment, thoughts on President Obama’s…
As a lead up to Earth Day on April 22nd, Earth Promise will post an interview each day between April 1st and April 21st giving different perspectives about the environment from influential people in the green community. The subjects in the “21 in 21” interview series will give their opinions and thoughts on various topics from how each person greens their lives, the impact they are making in their fields, recommendations for what we can do for the environment, thoughts on President Obama’s plans, and numerous other environmental topics. The interviews will appear each day in the blog section of the site at .<br />
<a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/blog">http://www.earthpromise.com/blog</a><br />
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These 21 interviewees come from various areas of interest including the world of politics, radio, business, entertainment, education, travel and the web. Some of the interviewees include Bruce Gellerman, host of “Living on Earth” on Public Radio International, Olivia Zaleski, the host and editor of CNN’s, The Business of Green, George Newall, the co-creator of Schoolhouse Rock (Schoolhouse Rock! Earth DVD comes out today!), Robert Stone, director of Earth Days set to be released on April 22, 2009, and Alexandra Cousteau, Social Environmental Advocate and granddaughter of Jacque Cousteau.<br />
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The following is a tentative schedule for the interviews that are set from April 1st to April 21st. Come back often to check out what each has to say.<br />
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Wednesday, April 1st – Bruce Gellerman, host of “Living on Earth” on Public Radio International<br />
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Thursday, April 2nd – Raquel Fagan, Executive Editor for Earth911.com<br />
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Friday, April 3rd – Nathan Winters, Founder of Follow Nathan Foundation who will bike across America to raise awareness for land and nature conservation<br />
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Saturday, April 4th – Tim Leffel, Travel Writer<br />
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Sunday, April 5th – Matthys Levy, founding Principal of Weidlinger Associates, Consulting Engineers and author of Why the Wind Blows, a History of Weather and Global Warming<br />
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Monday, April 6th – Traver Gruen-Kennedy, Chairman at Alliance for Sustainable Air Transportation<br />
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Tuesday, April 7th – Nora Duncan, Policy and Legislative Affairs Liaison for Governor Jodi Rell (CT)<br />
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Wednesday, April 8th – Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Global Green USA<br />
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Thursday, April 9th – Leslie Drogin, Government Affairs Analyst at K&amp;L Gates and former Senior Advisor for Policy and Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy<br />
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Friday, April 10th – Stefani Newman, Founder of Teensygreen.com<br />
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Saturday, April 11th – Adam Berg, Founder and CEO of Earth Promise<br />
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Sunday, April 12th – Eric Mangol, CEO of Figment Media LLC<br />
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Monday, April 13th – Howard Waldman, Green Dean at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School<br />
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Tuesday, April 14th – Olivia Zaleski, Host and Editor of CNN’s, The Business of Green<br />
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Wednesday, April 15th – George Newall, Co-Creator of Schoolhouse Rock!<br />
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Thursday, April 16th – Robert Stone, Director of Earth Days (set for release on April 22, 2009)<br />
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Friday, April 17th – TBA<br />
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Saturday, April 18th – TBA<br />
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Sunday, April 19th – TBA<br />
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Monday, April 20th – Alexandra Cousteau, Social Environmental Advocate and Granddaughter of Jacque Cousteau<br />
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Tuesday, April 21st – TBA<br />
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Each interview will first appear in the blog area and then will remain on it’s own Earth Promise page afterwards to facilitate easy access for new and return visitors.<br />
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Get inspired by these interviews to make Earth Promises, or changes, in your lifestyles to help the environment. No matter how small the change, it makes a difference. View a categorized list of promise you can make on the site for ideas and inspiration.Earth Promise: Disney Turns Greentag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-03-25:988554:BlogPost:1970232009-03-25T12:07:56.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Disneynature, Walt Disney’s new green sector, will celebrate Earth Day, April 22, 2009 with the debut of, <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneynature/earth/">Earth</a> . This miraculous, environmental adaptation is from the award-winning British producer/director Alastair Fothergill, who created the “Planet Earth” series (BBC and The Discovery Channel) and “The Blue Planet.”<br />
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Narrated by James Earl Jones, <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneynature/earth/">Earth</a> follows the astonishing…
Disneynature, Walt Disney’s new green sector, will celebrate Earth Day, April 22, 2009 with the debut of, <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneynature/earth/">Earth</a> . This miraculous, environmental adaptation is from the award-winning British producer/director Alastair Fothergill, who created the “Planet Earth” series (BBC and The Discovery Channel) and “The Blue Planet.”<br />
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Narrated by James Earl Jones, <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneynature/earth/">Earth</a> follows the astonishing year-long journey of three animal families: the Polar Bears, the African Elephants and the Humpback Whales. The cinematography captures wildlife in its intimate moments in unimaginable scale. Even if you’ve rented this documentary series on DVD, watching on big screen will be a great visual experience.<br />
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If you purchase a ticket for the first week of the showing, Disney will plant a tree in your honor in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, considered the most endangered rainforest in the world.<br />
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<i>Jean-François Camilleri, executive vice president and general manger of Disneynature, said: “The public is looking for films like EARTH that are entertaining, educational, show nature’s beauty and are environmentally conscious. What better way to celebrate the opening of this epic film than by planting trees on behalf of our moviegoers!”</i><br />
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Tickets are now on sale through the film’s website at www.disney.com/earth.<br />
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Don’t forget to make some <b>Earth Promises</b>; be a part of the Earth Promise community and <a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/login.cgi">become a member for free!</a>Earth Promise blog: Green Thumb or Not; Change Your Eating Habitstag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-03-23:988554:BlogPost:1963072009-03-23T13:46:49.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Michelle Obama’s White House garden is inspiring. The First Lady’s agricultural endeavor both introduces and reminds people to get closer to the land; to conserve Earth’s precious resources; and the importance of growing their own healthy food. For some people this is feasible; for others, both time and natural space interfere with this green-thumb movement. There are many accessible sites to help start your own garden, whether it’s an herb garden in your window sill, planting a fruit tree, or…
Michelle Obama’s White House garden is inspiring. The First Lady’s agricultural endeavor both introduces and reminds people to get closer to the land; to conserve Earth’s precious resources; and the importance of growing their own healthy food. For some people this is feasible; for others, both time and natural space interfere with this green-thumb movement. There are many accessible sites to help start your own garden, whether it’s an herb garden in your window sill, planting a fruit tree, or planting a fruit and vegetable garden. Here are some sites to help start your garedening adventure:<br />
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· <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2008-01-01/First-Time-Gardener-Step-Right-Up--Get-Your-Expert-Advice-Here.aspx">Mother Earth News</a><br />
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· <a href="http://www.gardeners.com/Kitchen-Garden-Planner/kgp_home,default,pg.html?SC=XNET9009">Gardeners</a><br />
· <a href="http://www.southernliving.com/healthy-living/gardening/garden-designed-first-time-gardeners-00400000008662/">Southern Living</a><br />
· <a href="http://www.organic-gardening.net/">Organic gardening</a><br />
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If you fall into the category where time and space hamper your gardening efforts, you still can have access to local fresh vegetables and fruit as well as contribute to lessening your carbon footprint. Think about the toxic chemicals that are needed to preserve the food or the amount of petroleum used to deliver your food. Buying local, like growing your own garden, will help support your local community’s economy; lessen the impact on your environment; and allow you to eat healthily. Now is the perfect time to consider purchasing as much food as possible from local sources. <a href="http://www.foodroutes.org/">Food Routes</a>, which is part of Food Routes Network, is a non-profit organization that “is dedicated to reintroducing Americans to their food – the seeds it grows from, the farmers who produce it, and the routes that carry it from the fields to their tables.” The <a href="http://www.foodroutes.org/">FoodRoutes</a> website provides tips on how to buy more local food, where you can find this food in your community, educates about how buying local affects the environment and your health, and has the latest news on farming today. You can even take part in the <a href="http://www.foodroutes.org/buy-local-challenge.jsp">Buy Local Challenge</a> . This allows you to show your support to those local farmers in your community. It’s time to revitalize the food movement!<br />
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For more tips on how you can make changes in this healthy, local food trend, visit <a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/posts.cgi">Earth Promise</a>.Tap Project's Good Deedtag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-03-20:988554:BlogPost:1955372009-03-20T15:51:16.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Growing up, I always made the assumption that (clean, drinkable) water would always be available. My wasteful habits are astonishing to look back upon: running water while brushing teeth; not turning the hose off while washing the car; and running the kitchen sink while washing dishes. The millions of gallons of water my family and I wasted make me cringe with disgust. This careless water behavior of mine has come to a screeching halt. The news about our dwindling water supply and countries…
Growing up, I always made the assumption that (clean, drinkable) water would always be available. My wasteful habits are astonishing to look back upon: running water while brushing teeth; not turning the hose off while washing the car; and running the kitchen sink while washing dishes. The millions of gallons of water my family and I wasted make me cringe with disgust. This careless water behavior of mine has come to a screeching halt. The news about our dwindling water supply and countries around the world not having safe drinking water to survive is not so new. With our environment in peril, it’s time to truly make a change in behavior.<br />
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Today, the lack of clean water is the second largest killer of children under the age of five. This global crisis is due to the high demand for fresh water in our world. In a 2008 CNN interview with Maude Barlow, author of Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water, Barlow explained: <i>“One way or another, we have taken accessible clean water … and we have rendered it unusable. We take massive amounts [of water] and we irrigate the desert, where it evaporates. We’re pumping groundwater all over the world far faster that it can be replenished by nature. We are actually running out of fresh, clean water everywhere in the world, including here in North America. We have to give up this myth of abundance. We have come to the limits of the planet.”</i><br />
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How can we help our fragile planet’s water supply? This upcoming March 22nd through March 28th is <b>World Water Week.</b> We can all make an extra effort to support clean water access to everyone around the world. New York City based, <b>Tap Project</b> assists <b>UNICEF</b>’s endeavors to bring clean water to children all over the world. Participating <i>“restaurants would ask their patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free.”</i><br />
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Starting in 2007, <b>Tap Project</b> was solely a NYC endeavor with 300 Manhattan-based dining locations. In 2008, it has grown more than 7 fold to 2,300 participators nationally (restaurants, corporations, volunteers, advertising agencies, community groups, local governments and everyday diners).<br />
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The Tap Project website allows you to locate a participating restaurant near you. Although it is too late to volunteer or sign up your restaurant for this year’s <b>Tap Project</b>, donations can be made to support <b>UNICEF</b>’s project to provide sanitized water for children around the world.<br />
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To kick off 2009’s <b>Tap Project</b>, a walk in both New York City and Chicago will occur. Although it is only a one mile event, the participants are encouraged to carry a minimum of one gallon of water to show support for “the millions of children worldwide who must carry water from distant sources each day.”<br />
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Be sure to visit <b><a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/blog/">Earth Promise</a></b> as it has many ideas for you to change your wasteful water habits.Purple is the New Green When it Comes to Shoppingtag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-03-19:988554:BlogPost:1951292009-03-19T14:09:38.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Online shopping: I know I couldn’t live without it. It’s one of the most convenient tools the Internet has to offer. Every search engine or guide plugs that they make it the easiest, fastest or have the largest selection available.<br />
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Now that green shopping has become the norm, I came across, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thepurplebook-Green-Eco-friendly-Online-Shopping/dp/0979926610">Thepurplebook Green: An Eco-friendly Online Shopping Guide</a>. Born from the annually published series,…
Online shopping: I know I couldn’t live without it. It’s one of the most convenient tools the Internet has to offer. Every search engine or guide plugs that they make it the easiest, fastest or have the largest selection available.<br />
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Now that green shopping has become the norm, I came across, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thepurplebook-Green-Eco-friendly-Online-Shopping/dp/0979926610">Thepurplebook Green: An Eco-friendly Online Shopping Guide</a>. Born from the annually published series, thepurplebook, Thepurplebook Green focuses on the web’s finest eco-friendly businesses. For those who still enjoy snuggling up with a book to do research instead of going to the computer, this guide (made from recycled paper, of course) is for you. Some of the many green entities you can research are: fashion, food, home improvement, furnishings, garden supply, personal necessities and gifts. There are over 400 earth-friendly retailers featured in the book. For neophytes and green gurus alike, the opening few chapters offer simple, non-life altering advice to green-ify your life.<br />
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This book can also help guide you to make your <a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/blog/">promises!</a>Unfortunate Events Turn Cities Greentag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-03-10:988554:BlogPost:1914212009-03-10T15:58:41.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Headquartered in California, <b>Global Green USA</b> is the offshoot company of Green Cross International which was <i>“created by President Mikhail S. Gorbachev to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future by reconnecting humanity with the environment.”</i> While the international segment’s agenda focuses on innovative methods to resolve the world’s environmental crises, the American sector spotlights the creation of green building and cities.<br />
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One of the various…
Headquartered in California, <b>Global Green USA</b> is the offshoot company of Green Cross International which was <i>“created by President Mikhail S. Gorbachev to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future by reconnecting humanity with the environment.”</i> While the international segment’s agenda focuses on innovative methods to resolve the world’s environmental crises, the American sector spotlights the creation of green building and cities.<br />
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One of the various pioneering programs <b>Global Green USA</b> is proud to be a part of is Rebuilding New Orleans. The 2005 aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was horrific. The government’s initial apathetic response to this catastrophic event drove Global Green USA to help rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. <b>Brad Pitt</b>, after visiting the Lower 9th Ward section of New Orleans, knew he had to aid this desperate community and its people. He <i>“work(ed) with Global Green to sponsor an architecture competition aimed at generating ideas about how to rebuild sustainably.”</i> It was important that the focus of this reconstruction didn’t alter the integrity of the district’s soul. He wanted to <b>“Make it Right”</b> and Pitt was able to initiate this by collaborating with a team that would focus on bettering the pre and post-Katrina environmental conditions. Experts in green architecture and sustainable redevelopment specialists are working together to get as many of the Lower 9th Ward district population back to their neighborhood. Willingly, Brad Pitt continues his charitable eco-mission of rebuilding New Orleans. Let’s hope these large scale environmental rebuilding efforts continue.Earth Hour, Earth Day, Earth Livingtag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-03-09:988554:BlogPost:1910082009-03-09T12:03:57.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm, <b><a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/earthhour/index.html?gclid=CKLOyMP-k5kCFQXGsgodemoIZw">Earth Hour</a></b> , a global collaborative, will take place: around the world people will switch off their lights for one hour. This simple, non-lifestyle-changing event will signify how, if we work together, a monumental revolution can be made in our global efforts to participate in climate change. <i>“The (2008) movement captured the public’s imagination with lights…</i>
March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm, <b><a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/earthhour/index.html?gclid=CKLOyMP-k5kCFQXGsgodemoIZw">Earth Hour</a></b> , a global collaborative, will take place: around the world people will switch off their lights for one hour. This simple, non-lifestyle-changing event will signify how, if we work together, a monumental revolution can be made in our global efforts to participate in climate change. <i>“The (2008) movement captured the public’s imagination with lights going out at some of the world’s most iconic landmarks including the Sydney Opera House, Bangkok’s Wat Arun Buddhist temple, the Coliseum in Rome, Stockholm’s Royal Castle, London’s City Hall, New York’s Empire State Building, Sears Tower in Chicago and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.”</i><br />
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April 22, 2009’s <b><a href="http://www.earthday.net/node/13689">Earth Day</a></b> will be the 39thanniversary of our once nationwide (now worldwide) response to environmental issues. The message: collectively we can make this global day of action and participation a commitment to ecological responsibility. There are countless events and activities happening around the world. To find or initiate an event near you to protect the future of our planet, visit, the Earth Day site.<br />
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So, what happens when Earth Hour and Earth Day unite? <a href="http://www.coolpeoplecare.org/about/eh2ed/">Cool People Care</a> is a cleverly, hip site that offers information on events, activities, and volunteering opportunities in your area. Their philosophy is undemanding: saving the world 5 minutes at a time. Their quick and easy to change green habits can be delivered directly to your email. What drew me to their site was their amalgamation of Earth Hour and Earth Day to create, EH2ED (Earth Hour to Earth Day) Challenge. The idea: you can save the Earth each day by making smart, easy changes. If you register for the challenge , Cool People will email you green information “highlighting an organization, a program, an initiative or a resource that can help you develop eco-friendly habits and behaviors so that you can live a more caring lifestyle.”<br />
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With this shared global responsibility to preserve the planet, Earth Hour and Earth Day bring people together who want to take better care of the environment. <a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/">Earth Promise</a> is the ideal community to make your promises and connect with like-minded people.eBay: Going Once, Going Twice, Going Green!tag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-03-05:988554:BlogPost:1895052009-03-05T13:08:52.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Calling one and all: companies that had no intention of being <b>green,</b> but realized, hey, why not join in this eco-party and cash in?<br />
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Some may think I’m being cynical, but whether a company’s original agenda was being <b>earth friendly</b> or not, it doesn’t hurt to promote yourself as a “<b>greenie”</b> if you fall into the category, <i>honestly</i>. A month prior to <b>Earth Day</b>, eBay is now promoting their environmentalism. Alan Marks, senior vice president for global…
Calling one and all: companies that had no intention of being <b>green,</b> but realized, hey, why not join in this eco-party and cash in?<br />
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Some may think I’m being cynical, but whether a company’s original agenda was being <b>earth friendly</b> or not, it doesn’t hurt to promote yourself as a “<b>greenie”</b> if you fall into the category, <i>honestly</i>. A month prior to <b>Earth Day</b>, eBay is now promoting their environmentalism. Alan Marks, senior vice president for global communications at eBay, explains that eBay’s earliest business model wasn’t intentionally <b>“green.”</b> Think about their philosophy: reselling old, unwanted items “rather than making new stuff reduces carbon emissions that go along with production.”<br />
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To read more about eBay’s green initiatives, visit, NY TimesGreen Your Eating and Cooking Habitstag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-03-04:988554:BlogPost:1891542009-03-04T18:48:21.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
We are a society that over-consumes in every sense of the word. We buy unnecessarily and if you just look around, we eat unnecessarily as well. We have been taught (and somewhat scared) into dieting, using artificial products to add to our foods, and forced to read food labels. Much of the cuisines we consume or at least have consumed over the past years are filled with toxins. The process of how food is grown and manufactured has drastically altared. This has transformed our country into an…
We are a society that over-consumes in every sense of the word. We buy unnecessarily and if you just look around, we eat unnecessarily as well. We have been taught (and somewhat scared) into dieting, using artificial products to add to our foods, and forced to read food labels. Much of the cuisines we consume or at least have consumed over the past years are filled with toxins. The process of how food is grown and manufactured has drastically altared. This has transformed our country into an unhealthy cesspool. It is important, then, to stay healthy in today’s climate of uncertainty. “We can no longer afford to put health care reform on hold,” President Barack Obama told Congress. With the rising cost of healthcare, becoming sick is simply not a financial option. Both eating well and saving money, then, are crucial.<br />
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Below are some <b>healthy, green eating and cooking ideas</b> that can easily be put into your daily schedule and may even save you a few bucks!<br />
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· <b>Grow herbs and vegetables at home</b> ….either in your outdoor garden or on your window sill. It will be a small investment, but will save you tons in the end. Be sure to plant the organic seeds (or purchase a small potted organic herb plant); this way you know from the start it is pesticide free.<br />
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· <b>Ban the high fructose corn syrup</b>. This is where reading labels are vital. This sticky sweetener is found in the obvious sodas, juices and many cereals. Go to your cabinet and check out the myriad of products that have this toxic sweetener. D Life explains that “it’s a highly purified blend of sugars (typically 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose) derived from corn. Because the fructose in HFCS is part of a manmade blend (as opposed to the natural compound of sugars found in fruit), the body metabolizes it very differently from other sugars.” If this scientific explanation isn’t enough to change your refined sugar habits, then hopefully the announcement of mercury found samples of high fructose corn syrup will drive you to toss your packaged food out. The Washington Post article warns, “Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered.”<br />
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· <b>Sugar alternatives</b>. When Christopher Columbus brought sugar to America, it was, yes, filled with calories, but contained protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Ah, but then the processing of the sugarcane changed dramatically. A few centuries later, the sugar business needed to revamp their processing methods to get more bang for their buck. The essential nutrients were then stripped away in a process that produced what we know today as refined sugars. Basically, a product with loads of calories and no nutritional value. Thus, the root cause for health problems. Then, there came the birth of artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin) filled with synthetic chemicals. Instead, try agave nectar as it has a lower glycemic index. Agave nectar is a great economic alternative to other sweeteners since it has approximately “1.4 x the sweetening power of white sugar and, agave nectar’s mild flavor doesn’t vary widely which will lend a real consistency to recipes.” Also try Stevia as an additive to smoothies, yogurts, coffees and teas. It is not recommended, though, for baking. Keep in mind that most sugar producers practice unfair labor. Although purchasing the organic, fair-trade brands may empty your wallet, at least you know you are supporting a worthy cause.<br />
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· <b>Fish and mercury levels</b>. Yes, fish and shellfish are part of a healthy diet. Yes, they are low in saturated fat, and full of nutrients, but then there is the mercury element. It is said that all fish have traces of mercury, but certain types have larger amounts that the public need to be made aware of; especially pregnant women and children. Visit, Environmental Working Group for a list of fish containing high levels of mercury.<br />
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· <b>Need to thaw?</b> Do so in the fridge in lieu of running hot water over the food. This obviously will save water and will allow the food to thaw more evenly.<br />
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· <b>Cook in advance</b>. If saving time and money are priority, then use (or altar) recipes that call for dry legumes. Allow them to soak overnight in the fridge. If you make enough in advance, you can put into smaller containers in the freezer. Although the canned versions are mighty convenient, some are known to have Bisphenol-A (BPA) an endocrine disruptor in the linings of the cans.<br />
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· <b>Cooking is not just for ovens/stoves</b>. I’m not suggesting cooking in the microwave either! How many times do you throw a sweet potato in the oven? Smaller portions can easily be cooked in a toaster oven and it uses much less energy, thus saving money on your electric bill. Slow cookers are also a big hit and try plug-in kettles in place of the tea kettle heating up on the stove.<br />
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· <b>To keep the microwave clean in order to maximize its performance</b>. Maximizing energy means less energy used; thus saving money on electric bill.<br />
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· <b>To cover pots when cooking</b> when possible. This allows you to cook quicker so that you use less energy.<br />
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For more eco-changes, visit <b>Earth Promise</b> and partake in the changes that will help you live a more healthy, green lifestyle.Green your Child's Reading Listtag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-02-25:988554:BlogPost:1860432009-02-25T14:12:50.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Every child deserves to have a good book read to her. Reading aloud is one of the most important activities you as a parent, grandparent, sibling, or caregiver can do together. No matter what your values are, reading can help communicate via illustrations and stories. Those “green” parents who want to share their eco-values with their offspring can do so by reading or supplying books about the environment. Here are some of my favorites:<br />
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· The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss is my all-time favorite. To…
Every child deserves to have a good book read to her. Reading aloud is one of the most important activities you as a parent, grandparent, sibling, or caregiver can do together. No matter what your values are, reading can help communicate via illustrations and stories. Those “green” parents who want to share their eco-values with their offspring can do so by reading or supplying books about the environment. Here are some of my favorites:<br />
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· The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss is my all-time favorite. To say the least, he was ahead of his time when it was published in 1971!! Through his whimsical play on nonsense words, Dr. Seuss educates his readers not to destroy our environment. In the end, our future is left in the hands of a child. Indeed, this tale is timeless.<br />
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· Planet earth Gets Well, by Madeline Kaplan. This book introduces its readers to detailed changes you can make to help Earth become healthy.<br />
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· 365 Penguins, by Jean-Luc Fromental. A family unexpectedly receives one penguin each day for one year….thus the title, 365 Penguins. Not only does this engaging book tie in math, but also ecology and geography.<br />
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· The Down to Earth Guide to Global Warming, by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon. Amusing, educational and empowering; this book provides the readers with the knowledge to inspire and to take action.<br />
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· The Last Polar Bears, by Harry Horse. A grandfather and his dog engage on an expedition to find a polar bear living in the wild. Told through various letters written to his grandson at home, Grandfather and his canine pal encounter various humorous obstacles.<br />
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· The Tree , by Dana Lyons and David Lane Danioth. This splendidly illustrated book (inspired by a song which includes the cd) is about an ancient fir living in the Pacific Rain forest. The Tree talks of his long life: what he has seen and sheltered over his 800 years. This is undoubtedly a nature’s treasure.<br />
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· Why Should I? by Jen Green. This enjoyable easy to read series demonstrates the importance of protecting nature.<br />
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Come and visit http://www.earthpromise.com/blog/ tomorrow for more resources to engage your family in helping the environment.Revive the Victory Gardentag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-02-23:988554:BlogPost:1849962009-02-23T14:51:41.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
The other day I was helping my nine year old study for her Social Studies test. The topic: World War II focusing on food rationing and <b>Victory Gardens</b>. How appropriate in today’s atmosphere of uncertainty.<br />
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Originally, <b>Victory Gardens</b> were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted in private residences during World War I and II to primarily ease the demands on the public food supply brought on by the war. But these gardens were also morale boosters. What a perfect tradition to…
The other day I was helping my nine year old study for her Social Studies test. The topic: World War II focusing on food rationing and <b>Victory Gardens</b>. How appropriate in today’s atmosphere of uncertainty.<br />
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Originally, <b>Victory Gardens</b> were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted in private residences during World War I and II to primarily ease the demands on the public food supply brought on by the war. But these gardens were also morale boosters. What a perfect tradition to revive! We thirst for some sort of spirit enhancer and <a href="http://www.eattheview.org/"></a><b>Eat the View</b> , a people-powered campaign to start a victory-type garden on the White House premises does just this. The idea behind the <b>White House Victory Garden</b> is to grow organic produce for the White House kitchen as well as for local food pantries. Some believe this is simply a symbolic move if the Obama’s favorably decide to adopt the Victory Garden concept; but it’s functional, too. <i>“Through the process of growing your own food, you reap the benefits of better health through tastier, more nutrient-packed fruits and vegetables, a more physically fit body, and, quite possibly, improved psychological well-being, something that money can’t buy. Assuming you don’t live on a toxic waste dump, your food will potentially be safer. It can be economical. And, when you grow it yourself, you gain an appreciation for what the true value of food really is.”</i><br />
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So why not undertake “Victory” home garden? Start small with some herbs. If you’re more adventurous, find a local spot in your community where everyone can take part. Here are some great tips to keep in mind that will not only save you money, but will allow you to conserve food (by growing your own) and natural resources. You can be part of the solution by keeping America’s food supply safe, healthy, nutritious, and local:<br />
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· To create a compost in my backyard.<br />
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· To use drip irrigation or soaker hoses in my garden and/or flower bed instead of regular sprinklers which will use less water.<br />
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· To buy natural pesticides for my garden as opposed to using chemical pesticides.<br />
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· To use mulch in the garden to conserve water.<br />
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· If your green thumb isn’t cooperating, be sure to buy food from a local farmer’s market instead of the supermarket when possible.<br />
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What a symbolic and real statement President and First Lady Obama can make: eat locally and healthy. The Victory Garden will address the issues that affect us all from global warming, environmental ruin, and economic crises.<br />
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To make and keep track of your <b>Earth Promise’s</b>, visit www.earthpromise.com/login.cgiLook Towards the Suntag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-02-20:988554:BlogPost:1839742009-02-20T19:02:58.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Solar energy is hot—literally. Today, increasingly more people are becoming fascinated by the savings renewable energy can offer. And savings is a hopeful word in today’s economic turmoil. So, what is solar energy exactly? Wikipedia puts it simply, <i>“Solar Energy is the radiant light and heat from the Sun that has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power,…</i>
Solar energy is hot—literally. Today, increasingly more people are becoming fascinated by the savings renewable energy can offer. And savings is a hopeful word in today’s economic turmoil. So, what is solar energy exactly? Wikipedia puts it simply, <i>“Solar Energy is the radiant light and heat from the Sun that has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass account for most of the available renewable energy on Earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used.”</i> Thanks to President Obama, that small fraction is slowing growing.<br />
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Governor Charlie Crist was present yesterday to unveil the installation of Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) first large-scale solar roof. This will harvest Florida’s sunlight abundance into useful energy. The initial up-front investment was indeed costly, but the monetary benefits combined with the decrease in the usage of our natural resources is immeasurable. There is little or no maintenance with solar panels. <i>“More than 230 solar panels were installed on the roof, producing energy that will help reduce the building’s current demand and prevent greenhouse gas emissions.”</i> To read more about this energy saving investment, visit, The Business Journal<br />
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So what kinds of energy conservation and efficiency can you do now on a smaller scale for your home? Here are some suggestions:<br />
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To install a solar water heater.<br />
To turn off lights in my home if natural sunlight is available and will be sufficient<br />
To use highly reflective roofing material when I install a new roof on my home.<br />
To plant trees around my home to create shade, which will reduce the need for air-conditioning<br />
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Those interested in purchasing and installing large-scale solar panels or other sun-plugged products, here are some useful sites:<br />
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• <b>SolarHome.org</b> offers “great deals on everything from panels and batteries to chargers and lights – all powered by the energy of the sun.”<br />
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• <b>RealGoods.com</b> not only educates on the benefits of installing solar products, but offers an array of merchandise.<br />
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Solar energy may be one of the most important sources of energy we have. Make a <a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/index.cgi">promise</a> to utilize our ever-present renewable resource.<br />
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Join <a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/index.cgi">Earth Promise</a> to make, and keep track of your personal promises.How To Make Your Oscar Party Greentag:www.mombloggersclub.com,2009-02-20:988554:BlogPost:1839682009-02-20T18:59:24.000ZHeatherhttp://www.mombloggersclub.com/profile/Heather28
Are you hosting an Oscar party this weekend? Let’s talk about shopping and how the small <b>changes</b> you make can make a big impact. Be a motivated <b>green shopper</b> with these easy tips:<br />
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· <b>Be sure to make a list</b>. This will reduce the number of times you will need to go to the store; less trips means less use of gas (assuming you need a car to shop!)<br />
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· <b>Buy organic and/or local</b><br />
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· <b>To bring a cloth or canvas bag to the store</b>. I always have a bunch in various sizes in…
Are you hosting an Oscar party this weekend? Let’s talk about shopping and how the small <b>changes</b> you make can make a big impact. Be a motivated <b>green shopper</b> with these easy tips:<br />
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· <b>Be sure to make a list</b>. This will reduce the number of times you will need to go to the store; less trips means less use of gas (assuming you need a car to shop!)<br />
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· <b>Buy organic and/or local</b><br />
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· <b>To bring a cloth or canvas bag to the store</b>. I always have a bunch in various sizes in my car and even carry a funky compact reisenthel bag in my purse. This way, if I do forget to bring a bag, I’ll always have an extra. (If you are one who often forgets to bring your bags, many stores have “remember your bags!”stickers you can place on the inside of your car window.)<br />
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· <b>To decline the offer of a bag from a store if I am buying a small number of items.</b><br />
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· <b>To request paper bags at checkout instead of plastic if I do not have canvas bags with me.</b><br />
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· <b>Buy in bulk</b> whether it’s dish detergent or food. There is less packaging and many times, it is less expensive.<br />
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· <b>Use your everyday dishes and cloth napkins</b>. Try not to use paper products. If the thought overwhelms you, be sure, then, to purchase eco-friendly ones made from recycled products.<br />
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· <b>Print out Oscar voting ballots using the unused side of paper</b>.<br />
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These effortless changes can greenify your Oscar party.<br />
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If you haven’t already, join <a href="http://www.earthpromise.com/index.cgi">Earth Promise</a> to make, and keep track of your personal promises